Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
When Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) became the Khalifah of Islam, many different fitnahs broke out. Among these were the fitnah of those tribes who turned apostate, leaving the fold of Islam, the fitnah of Musailimah, who claimed that he was a Nabi, and the fitnah of the Romans.
In the midst of all these fitnahs, Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) decided to dispatch the army of Hazrat Usaamah bin Zaid (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) against the Romans, as this was among the last commands of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) before he departed from this world. All the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), at this time, were inclined towards not waging war against the Romans who were an outside enemy, but rather to wait for matters to stabilize among the Muslims. Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was determined to carry out the command of Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) at any cost. Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said to the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), “If you do not wish to accompany me, I will set out alone.” The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) thereafter realized that the decision of Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was correct and they thus supported him.
Below is the dialogue that transpired between Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) on that crucial occasion:
When Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) set out towards Zu-Qussah and mounted his conveyance, Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) held onto the reins of the conveyance and asked, “Where are you off to, O Khaleefah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)? I say to you what Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to you on the occasion of Uhud (when you were determined to sacrifice your life), ‘Sheath your sword and don’t distress us with your death.’ By the oath of Allah! If we lose you, there will be nobody after you to administrate and see to the affairs of Islam and the Muslims.” On hearing this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) returned and dispatched the army in the path of Allah Ta‘ala. (Bidaayah wan Nihaayah 7/103)
The Shias often portray the picture that Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had hatred for Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). However, from this narration, it is clear that Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had great love for Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). If he did not have true love for Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), he would not have expressed concern for his life and safety and given him support.
May Allah Ta‘ala bless us all with the love of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and save us from harboring any negative thoughts in their regard.
